Bufflehead drake

I love the iridescence, the pose, the icy blue water, and the sweet glint in the eye. Whites look very good except maybe just a tad bright on the head. Gorgeous image. I also love the little water droplets on the breast and back. On of the best bufflehead images I have seen. They are so difficult to expose properly and you done a great job.

Overall Craig I really like this. This is a tough bird to expose for sure. I like your comp and the nice irridescence you pick up in the bird's head. The whites on the head are a bit bright creating a lack of detail, but like I stated, overall a very attractive image.

What a beauty! great colors and position of the drake. Hes so cute

I've deleted more sunlit images of Bufflehead than I have had hot breakfasts; but without the sun, no iridescence. You've pulled this one off nicely, plus a lovely background and a nice pose. Its also not easy to get a good duck image when its swimming away from you!

how do you like the 7D by the way? I bought the 50D earlier this year and like it a lot, except for a tendency to noise once you get to ISO 400.

Thanks for the comments everyone, I actually used a 50% grey mask and toned down the white hood, I believe it's within acceptable limits and looks so hot as it is the brightest area of the image.
Stephen, I just got and have only used the 7D a couple of times out. It is a huge change and improvement over my 40D and it performed very well. I am enthusiastic about the 7D, it's high ISO usable settings and the auto-focus system. I know I've gotten many shots already that previously were not possible.

Nice color in this Craig and I like the bird's placement in the frame. I suppose I miss the detail in the bird's head that I see in the feathers near the water. I've never shot one of these though and I'm guessing it was hard to get perfect exposure in bright light. I like the image overall and particularly the mood of it.

Pat

This photo does a great job of showing how massive their heads are. Whites a little hot, blacks a little dark, but hey it's a huge dynamic range and you got the iridescence

Your choice of composition for this is excellent, Craig. The headturn is a definite plus, but the color of the surrounding water is the real bonus for me. Excellent work!

Your choice of composition for this is excellent, Craig. The headturn is a definite plus, but the color of the surrounding water is the real bonus for me. Excellent work!

I love the large version Craig. Bravo I'd back off a tad on the noise reduction, but that's a sweet shot !

Craig,

I love the pose you caught this bufflehead in, the water, the iridescence and the light in the bird's eye.

Well done & appealing image.